Sweater weather is just around the corner and with it also comes fall’s new trends – jorts back in fashion along with something like thermo-responsive color-changing clothing.
Fast fashion is the interchangeable fashion that is considered “in” or “trendy”, that everyone is wanting to buy. We always want to be up to code with the trend, but we never think of the environmental, social, and economic effects our changing fast fashion has on the world.
Retro-modern fashion is taking what is old and making it new. Whether it’s our platform Converses or high-waisted jeans, we take what our mamas once rocked and call it our own. Today, we still see tie-dye, wide-legged pants, floral prints, and many other styles that are a flash from the past.
Another disposable fashion trend is seasonal micro-collections or capsule collections. This type of fashion is where there is a certain amount of clothing or design released that is all the rage for this particular time. It’s limitedly released, making it wanted and exclusive to the public. An example of this is celebrity collaborations, whether it’s Ye’s limited edition Yeezys or Rihanna and her River Island collection.
With this throwaway fashion, we are making a bigger environmental footprint than we thought. Fast fashion uses more resources than most consumers know; it uses up water and energy to help make the newest and trendiest fashion available for the consumer.
An article by the Oldham County Water District states 1,800 gallons of water are needed to produce the cotton for a pair of jeans and 400 gallons for a shirt.
Additionally, during the process of textile dying, the finish of making clothing often releases chemicals and dyes into the environment. Harming untouched ecosystems and the utopias built in them causes more harm than good.
Cheap chic also has impacts on society. It can affect how someone views their body image. With always wanting to keep up with the viral trends, people often associate that with a poor body image. Clothes aren’t worn the way they’re supposed to be worn because they aren’t built for all body types.
Social media also plays a role in how fast fashion is seen. When influencers try to set an impact with new trends, people tend to follow like a flock of sheep. Whether it’s a celebrity recommendation or in a magazine advertisement, we are always pushed to the new ideas of the fashion industry.
Social media allows new fashion to shine its light from all different times allowing us to express ourselves. But it also means things don’t stay in style as long as an article from The Untitled Magazine states.
The economy also is affected by fast fashion. With standardized labor laws not put in place across the globe, many countries suffer from low wages and terrible working conditions. Local businesses also suffer from the fast-paced industry.
With clothing always changing and supply and demand, it’s hard to keep making money when it’s forever changing. They struggle to compete with other businesses because of the prices they also are selling with the new one-week wonders.
There are also lots of companies making massive amounts of money by making cheap clothes in the blink of an eye, including online stores like Shein and Temu. Sites like these are not only cheap but may be stealing your information, and even using prisoners to free labor.
In fact, a Los Angeles Times article written on June 15th, 2023 states that Temu may be banned from the use of US citizens due to being linked to forced labor.
Starting with change is the first step to a better future. One way is by thrifting, this is a way of getting all your wants and needs but getting them cheaper and also helping the environment. Another way is by buying fewer clothes and choosing quality over quantity.
Buying classic pieces that will be worth spending your money is also not only helping you but your wallet. Increasing one’s awareness can also help with the long-lasting impact clothing can have on being aware of what you are wearing and how it will affect the future can help change the way fast fashion is bought.
With all of this in mind, we all wanted to be kept up to date on what was so last week and what is so chic. We need to change as a consumer to not only benefit ourselves, but the future of fashion as well, whether it’s thrifting your clothes or maybe not buying a new wardrobe every time something is “in”. This high-velocity industry isn’t going away any time soon. But how we impact it can change the way it functions.